Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who are the people managing the project in Kashmir? How can we trust them?

The team in Kashmir is comprised of individuals of high integrity and credibility. In addition they come with a wealth of experience in management and areas of expertise that is critical to the success of the program. These people are known to CHINAR USA. They share the same vision and passion as CHINAR USA for helping orphaned children. Having been successful in their professions, they have a sense of responsibility towards the community and a desire to make a difference.

2. What if they start siphoning money and start building their own houses?

The team in Kashmir is comprised of individuals of high integrity. Many of them are personally known to the members of CHINAR USA. In addition to that, CHINAR USA has put in place a governance framework, which provides for accountability and measures to safeguard against any wrongdoing. CHINAR USA is acutely aware of the bad reputation that many NGOs have earned and has zero tolerance policy. CHINAR USA has been intimately involved in the selection and approval of the Board of Directors and Officers in Kashmir and has actively contributed to the development of the organizational by laws of CHINAR Kashmir to mitigate any such issues.

3. Kashmir is a very conservative society? How can you raise boys and girls together in CHINAR House ?

CHINAR USA made this determination after studying and researching the concept. It has worked in environments similar to Kashmir. From the perspective of overall well being of the orphans it is critical that the family environment is replicated to the extent possible. To that end, having boys and girls in the same group is very important. Also, the age group of orphans that we are targeting, between 4-8 years, lends to the mixed group. CHINAR USA has plans to graduate the boys at the age of 12 to youth hostel facilities.

4. Even though I like the idea, I am scared to give donations because of post 9/11 apprehensions? Will the FBI come after us?

CHINAR USA is fully aware of the apprehensions post 9/11. While there cannot be any guarantees that CHINAR USA will never be contacted by FBI or any other Federal Agencies under the new laws and regulations, CHINAR USA has taken extreme care and followed all the stipulations to mitigate such event. CHINAR USA is formally registered here in the US. CHINAR Kashmir is formally registered in India. CHINAR USA has adopted a policy of voluntary declaration of its activities to the appropriate agencies. CHINAR USA maintains up to date records and will have yearly independent third-party audits of its financial books and records. CHINAR USA holds all its officers and board of directors accountable for its actions.

5. What are you doing about schooling the kids? Will they receive religious teachings?

Given that CHINAR model is for providing a nurturing family like environment, the orphans will be living in an environment which is very much like a regular family. They will be provided in-house tutoring, regular mainstream schooling and after school activities. As a part of their development they will receive religious teachings as is done in any mainstream family environment. Attention will be given to make the children aware of other religions and for tolerance towards other faiths.

6. You talk about religious tolerance, what have you done to show us that? Are you going to be helping kids from other communities too? How will you raise a mix of religious kids? Will you raise them as they were born or will you raise them as Muslims?

CHINAR Kashmir is very diligently looking for children from other faiths that fit the profile that we have chosen to support. It is one of the core principles of CHINAR to help vulnerable children in conflict areas regardless of their religious beliefs. There is precedence of such mixed environments as implemented by other organizations. The children of different faiths will be raised per their original faith that they were born into. Use of Advisors, mentors, and other voluntary staff from different faiths will be used to assist in providing for the religious awareness and development of the children.

7. I have heard that you have Muslim mothers? How will they raise non-Muslim kids?

Please see above

8. How will you maintain financial transparency in Kashmir? Who will maintain the books?

CHINAR Kashmir is required to maintain full financial books. These will be audited by independent third-party. In addition, CHINAR USA will regularly review the financial books of CHINAR Kashmir per the governance framework. CHINAR has policy of full public disclosure and will have financial statements available for public.

9. I want to send clothes/books/etc. How can we do that?

Please contact CHINAR USA at the address provided. CHINAR representative will contact you and provide the necessary assistance.

10. I am going to Kashmir and want to volunteer my time? How can I do that?

Please complete the volunteer application. Let us know the dates and areas of interest. We will cross reference that with the needs of Kashmir and provide you with further information. CHINAR welcomes your support and help.

11. You mention an orphan estimate of 100,000 while as the government and some local NGO's put the number at 15,000-30,000. How do you explain such a big discrepancy?

The United Nations report has put the number of orphans in Kashmir to be more than 100,000. The numbers reported by the local NGOs and local government is based on very limited and old surveys.

12. Will you be imparting religious education to the children? How will it be different from other religious schools?

The children will be provided religious education as done in the family environment. They will be made aware of other faiths, taught religious tolerance and respect for other faiths.

13. What specific programs do you have for peace education?

CHINAR has planned special programs to teach children about the benefits of non-violence, sharing and peaceful co-existence. These programs will be designed by specialists many of whom are advisors and volunteers for CHINAR and specialize in rehabilitation of traumatized children.

14. What specific programs do you have for ensuring successful integration of the orphans into society?

The integration of the children into the society starts from the first day of their induction into the CHINAR family; living in a family like environment, joining in family activities, attending regular schools. They participate with other members of the community in every day community activities. CHINAR will foster wide community involvement in the development of these children through volunteers, mentors and other members in an endeavor to instill a sense of belonging and community participation in these children.

15. Why don't you have any non-Muslims on the Board?

CHINAR USA has advisors and volunteers from other faiths. Our requirements for being a board member are very stringent. CHINAR USA is on the lookout for the people who share the same passion and desire to make a difference in the lives of needy orphaned children.

16. You seem to have big plans requiring big money, how are you going to raise money for your programs?

CHINAR has a very vivid and well-thought financial plan. This includes individual contributions, fundraising, endowments and grants as the sources to fund the program.

17. Do you have memberships? Why not?

CHINAR USA consciously did not plan for paid memberships at this stage. Our main objective is to stay focused and execute this program successfully. In addition, given the concerns raised due to the events of September 11, 2001, CHINAR made the decision to concentrate on the launch of the program with a small group of core members. CHINAR USA has plans to expand the organizational structure, including member profiles and number of members.

18. Are members of the board and officers paid compensation?

CHINAR USA and CHINAR Kashmir are both formed by people who have a passion for helping disadvantaged children and desire to make a difference in their lives and in the society. No member of the CHINAR family is compensated in any form by CHINAR and are involved with this initiative purely on a voluntary basis.

19. Why Kashmir for the pilot project?

The core members of CHINAR USA are associated with Kashmir by virtue of either being from that part of the world or being sympathetic to the problems in Kashmir. All the members have extensive experience and knowledge of that area. CHINAR USA wanted the ability to execute expeditiously in an environment that was familiar and where the right resources were available to make the pilot project a success.

20. Is this organization serious about expanding this idea and model to other places besides Kashmir?

Yes. Pilot Program in Kashmir will ratify and validate the concept and allow us to take a proven and tested model for wider deployment to the other parts of the world. This will be obviously driven by the availability of the right resources and organizations on the ground required to execute the program.

21. With so many NGOs in the Kashmir, how is CHINAR different? Why would it add value?

CHINAR model provides value added differentiation to the current institutional programs in Kashmir; holistic development of orphaned children in conflict areas. To that end, our model focuses on 
- Family Unit concept
- Prioritization for double orphans
- Psychosocial rehabilitation
Please refer to our Programs section for detailed program information.

22. Have you considered merging with a running organization to get economies of scale and eliminate the startup pains?

CHINAR looked at other organizations in the field. Our research showed that there are some areas, that we think are important to cater to, that were not being addressed. Therefore, CHINAR is filling a need. Secondly and more importantly, CHINAR wanted to ensure that the program was executed according to the vision and principles of its founding members. To that end, there was a need to have control over the program and as such the need to start on our own.

23. What is the role of CHINAR USA after CHINAR Kashmir is up and running?

CHINAR USA will continue the expansion plans and governance of these plans in Kashmir. CHINAR USA will research other areas and continue to provide technical and financial assistance to these programs. CHINAR USA will also explore other community based programs.

24. How will CHINAR deal with a child who does not want to stay in the home but return to his or her village?

CHINAR will, based on the recommendations of the experts, do what is best for the child. However, CHINAR will complete due diligence to ensure there is a viable alternative for the child in the village.

25. Will CHINAR take money from religious or political organizations?

CHINAR will welcome help and support from all entities and individuals as long as the help and support is unconditional and does not violate any law (including the Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, State and Federal Laws, and International Laws) or the core principles of CHINAR.

26. Is CHINAR actively looking for a religiously diverse group of children?

Yes.

27. What is the plan for handling visitation of a child’s extended family? Will it be encouraged?

CHINAR will allow visitation rights and privileges to the extended family of the child per guidelines and rules of the visitation established by CHINAR.

28. In order to help the orphans of Kashmir in the best possible way, there needs to be an overhaul of the existing support structure and cooperation between various agencies. Do you have any plans for establishing a framework for this? What would your starting point be?

CHINAR USA and CHINAR Kashmir are committed to the well being of orphaned children in conflict areas. To that end, CHINAR will make all efforts to help improve the existing support structure in such areas. Close cooperation with other agencies, exchange of ideas, wider community based involvement and sharing of the best practices are some of the ways CHINAR will contribute to the overall development of the support infrastructure.